Spanish Body Parts Vocabulary: Complete Learning Guide

When you learn Spanish body parts, you're gaining vocabulary that's essential for everyday conversations—from describing how you feel to visiting a doctor. This guide covers the most important Spanish words for body parts along with pronunciation tips and practical examples.

Essential Body Parts Vocabulary

Master these core Spanish vocabulary body parts to build a strong foundation. Each word includes pronunciation guidance and a practical example sentence.

Word	Pronunciation	English	Example
la cabeza	lah kah-BEH-sah	head	Me duele la cabeza. (My head hurts.)
el ojo	el OH-hoh	eye	Tiene los ojos verdes. (She has green eyes.)
la nariz	lah nah-REES	nose	El niño tiene la nariz pequeña. (The boy has a small nose.)
la boca	lah BOH-kah	mouth	Abre la boca, por favor. (Open your mouth, please.)
la oreja	lah oh-REH-hah	ear (outer)	Lleva aretes en las orejas. (She wears earrings on her ears.)
el brazo	el BRAH-soh	arm	Levanta el brazo derecho. (Raise your right arm.)
la mano	lah MAH-noh	hand	Dame la mano. (Give me your hand.)
el dedo	el DEH-doh	finger/toe	Me corté el dedo. (I cut my finger.)
la pierna	lah pee-EHR-nah	leg	Tiene las piernas largas. (He has long legs.)
el pie	el pee-EH	foot	Me duelen los pies. (My feet hurt.)
el cuello	el KWEH-yoh	neck	Lleva un collar en el cuello. (She wears a necklace on her neck.)
el hombro	el OHM-broh	shoulder	Tengo dolor en el hombro. (I have pain in my shoulder.)
la espalda	lah ehs-PAHL-dah	back	Me duele la espalda. (My back hurts.)
el pecho	el PEH-choh	chest	Respira profundo y saca el pecho. (Breathe deeply and stick out your chest.)
el estómago	el ehs-TOH-mah-goh	stomach	Tengo el estómago vacío. (My stomach is empty.)
la rodilla	lah roh-DEE-yah	knee	Se lastimó la rodilla. (He hurt his knee.)
el corazón	el koh-rah-SOHN	heart	Mi corazón late rápido. (My heart beats fast.)
el pelo	el PEH-loh	hair	Tiene el pelo negro. (She has black hair.)

Common Phrases

These everyday expressions will help you use Spanish body parts vocabulary in real conversations:

• Me duele la cabeza (meh DWEH-leh lah kah-BEH-sah) — My head hurts / I have a headache
• Tengo dolor de estómago (TEHN-goh doh-LOHR deh ehs-TOH-mah-goh) — I have a stomachache
• Me rompí el brazo (meh rohm-PEE el BRAH-soh) — I broke my arm
• De pies a cabeza (deh pee-EHS ah kah-BEH-sah) — From head to toe (literally: from feet to head)
• Cruzar los brazos (kroo-SAHR lohs BRAH-sohs) — To cross one's arms
• A ojo (ah OH-hoh) — By eye / approximately
• Meter la pata (meh-TEHR lah PAH-tah) — To put one's foot in it / make a mistake
• Costar un ojo de la cara (kohs-TAHR oon OH-hoh deh lah KAH-rah) — To cost an arm and a leg

Usage Notes

When using Spanish words for body parts, keep these important grammatical and cultural points in mind:

• Definite articles instead of possessives: In Spanish, you typically use el/la/los/las (the) instead of possessive adjectives with body parts. Say "Me duele la cabeza" (My head hurts), not "Me duele mi cabeza."
• Singular vs. plural: When something happens to both of a pair, Spanish often uses the singular: "Cierra el ojo" can mean close your eye(s) in context, though "Cierra los ojos" is also correct.
• El dedo for fingers AND toes: The word dedo refers to both fingers and toes. To specify, say "dedo de la mano" (finger) or "dedo del pie" (toe).
• La oreja vs. el oído: La oreja is the visible outer ear, while el oído refers to the inner ear and the sense of hearing. At the doctor, you might say "Me duele el oído" for an earache.
• Reflexive constructions: Body-related actions often use reflexive verbs: "Me lavo las manos" (I wash my hands), "Se cepilla el pelo" (She brushes her hair).

Practice Sentences

Use these example sentences to practice the Spanish vocabulary body parts you've learned:

• El médico me examinó los ojos y las orejas. — The doctor examined my eyes and ears.
• Después de correr, me duelen las piernas y los pies. — After running, my legs and feet hurt.
• Mi abuela tiene el pelo blanco y los ojos azules. — My grandmother has white hair and blue eyes.
• El bebé tiene las manos muy pequeñas. — The baby has very small hands.
• Levanta los brazos por encima de la cabeza. — Raise your arms above your head.
• Me torcí el tobillo jugando al fútbol. — I twisted my ankle playing soccer.
• Ponte la mano en el corazón. — Put your hand on your heart.
• Ella se pinta las uñas de los dedos de rojo. — She paints her fingernails red.
• Tengo una cicatriz en la rodilla. — I have a scar on my knee.
• El dolor de espalda es muy común. — Back pain is very common.